Parents back principal

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Fremont Elementary School principal Chuck Cota, shown here in front of the Montebello school on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, has been told by the district that he will be one of six principals demoted to teacher next year. Cota, who has a masters degree in education, has been with the district his entire 33-year career as teacher and principal. Cota has been principal for 14 years within the district, the last three at Fremont. No explanation was given to Cota from the district for his demotion. (Staff Photo by Raul Roa)

MONTEBELLO – Parents are outraged that the Fremont Elementary principal might be removed.

Chuck Cota was told he will be demoted to teacher next year. He has been with the Montebello Unified School District for 33 years, the past 14 as a principal.

Cota, parents and teachers say the move by the school board is politically motivated.

“We are not going to be pushed aside,” said parent Veronica Avalos. “We are not asking, we are telling the board we want answers, and if we don’t get them we will start gathering signatures for a recall.”

About 50 parents and students attended last week’s meeting to question the decision. According to parents, a petition with more than 200 signatures was given to the board asking that Cota remain principal.

The district said the reassignment was not part of a list of possible layoffs to fix a $16 million deficit.

Board President Marcella Calderon declined to give reasons for the removal except to say it’s a personnel issue. Board Vice President Gerri Guzman said she didn’t realize that the principal had so much support.

“It certainly sheds light on the decision,” Guzman said. “As an elected official, you really want the community to understand and buy into your choices.”

Board members Edwin Chau and Hector A. Chacon did not return phone calls on Tuesday.

Superintendent Edward Velasquez said he was unable to comment about the decision, citing privacy issues.

“Relationships are established (between parents and principals),” Velasquez said. “It’s not about a relationship, it’s about quality.”

Fremont’s API score was 727 in 2007 out of 1,000. The score measures the academic performance of schools. The school also made adequate yearly progress under Cota, including meeting its participation rate and percent proficient in English-language arts and mathematics.

Cota says the board is not being open with him.

“They are not doing away with the position, they are replacing me,” he said. “What does that say?”

Guzman said the board makes decisions based on performance, budget, programs and direction of the school, among others. She also said no decision is “set in stone.”

Velasquez said whoever replaces Cota will have “standards such as Mr. Cota.”

District spokeswoman Alisha Rosas said there are some parents who favor a change of leadership at the school.

One parent Maria Rosas – whom Alisha says is not related to her – said she has complained about Cota.

“He wasn’t doing his job the way he should,” Maria said.

A number of teachers who work at Fremont said the board is using harsh tactics and playing games at a time when the district might lose good faculty. The teachers asked that their names not be used because of fears over losing their jobs.

Some parents, like Wendy Corona-Cabrera, commute from East Los Angeles to bring their children to Fremont.

“I want answers,” Corona-Cabrera said. “We chose Fremont because Mr. Cota is great with all the kids. It is worth the drive.”